The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: With Plenty of Money and You

The song of the day for Friday, March 18, 2025, is “With Plenty of Money and You.”

About This Song

“With Plenty of Money and You” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for Gold Diggers of 1937, starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Interestingly, the score for the film was to have been written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but Berkeley didn’t like what they had written and brought in Warren and Dubin for this song and several other songs. Some Arlen and Harburg songs were used in the film as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “With Plenty of Money and You” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 26, 2025, is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1934 movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in May 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released 35 years ago today on February 26, 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lullaby of Broadway

The song of the day for Thursday, December 12, 2024, is “Lullaby of Broadway.”

About This Song

“Lullaby of Broadway” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1935 movie The Gold Diggers of 1935. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. “Lullaby of Broadway” is one of the great show biz anthems. The 1980 Broadway musical 42nd Street featured Jerry Orbach singing the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Band, recorded “Lullaby of Broadway” on December 22, 1958, for the album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lullaby of Broadway,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, November 7, 2024, is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in May 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, released in 1999. Jorge Calandrelli arranged and conducted this song, as well as the entire album.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Friday, August 9, 2024, is “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written in 1933 by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in May 1989 for the album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.